Married to John, we have three wonderful children, Joei, John and Anna Marie who still lives at home and keeps us busy. We raise meat goats and have other animals to take care of. I love to work in the garden, read and try to exercise and to enjoy it when I do. I have been teaching traditional Montessori for about 30 years and have not tired of it. Every day continues to be a new day of learning for me. John and I have four grandchildren, Haleigh, Kawika, Alyson and Riley.

Biography: Kate Lawson  

I just finished my Montessori training course over the summer and will be completing my bachelors degree in family and child development in the Fall. I have intentions of pursing my masters degree and continuing training and learning through Montessori workshops and conferences. I have been working at Grace montessori for a year and am looking forward for the opportunity to be lead teacher. The children inspire me and I feel fortunate to learn a thing or two from them. My husband and I have two daughters, Charlize and Madeline. Our other two children include two spoiled dogs: a Husky and a little Yorkie. In my spare time I enjoying spending time with my friends and family. I also like to run and just completed my first half marathon (probably my last)!

Biography: Debbie Mederios

As an Air Force "brat" I’ve lived in many places, but I’ve lived most of my life in Mountain Home. In addition to being a friendly small town, Mountain Home is centrally located for all the outdoor activities that I love. It’s also a great place to raise children – I raised my three children, Jacqui, Derek and Alyssa, in Mountain Home. They are all grown up now, and my first grandchild is on his way. In the meantime, I have Chelsea, my Black Lab mix puppy dog, to baby.   I’ve always loved working with children. I began working at Grace Montessori in November of 2009, as assistant to the Directress Alisa in the Basic Trust class. In June 2011, Alisa promoted me to Head Teacher of the Basic Trust class. Before coming to work at Grace, I taught basic life skills to developmentally disabled children. I was also a paralegal for 20 years, during which time I focused on the best interests of the children of divorce and custody cases, and I was a volunteer CASA

Biography: Jessica Holbrook

Jessica just moved to Mountain Home a year ago and started working at Grace Montessori almost immediately. Jessica is working towards her elementary education degree and has worked with children since she was 13 years old. Jessica lives happily with her husband and their precious baby, their Boxer dog, Atlas. In her free time, Jessica enjoys talking with her friends and going to the gym.

Biography: Vanessa Wilkins

Vanessa was born in England and came to the United States in 1987. Her husband, Troy, was in the United States Air Force and retired in 1994, they chose Mountain Home as their place of retirement. Vanessa worked in the Air Force Child Development Program from 1987-1996 and completed her CDA training during that time. Vanessa and Troy have five grown children and four grandchildren with two more on the way!

Biography: Shawna Stafford

Married to Harry, we have two teen aged daughters, Michelle and Emily. We also have two Chocolate Labs and two cats. I have worked in the Air Force family childcare prgram and I have also been caring for and teaching children for over ten years. Having enjoyed my experiences with children, I hope to continue learning. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising and outdoor activities with family and friends.

Biography: Goisalde Jausoro

Page Borgholthaus is continuing to be our Mentor of Grace Montessori School. With her years of training and experience with the Montessori method she is greatly appreciated as a retired owner/teacher of the Montessori world! 

Page Borgholthaus, founder of Children's House Montessori School, received her Montessori training through St. Nicholas Training Center and the Rocky Mountain Montessori Training Center in Boulder Colorado. She received her Master's degree from Boise State University in Early Childhood Education, has worked for the Mountain Home School District early in her career as a music teacher in the primary grades and most recently as a Supervisor in the Parents As Teachers program.

She has been an assessor and mentor for Idaho Stars which seeks to raise the standards for early childhood programs in the state and as a evaluator with the National Childhood Development Associate credential and Education Team Leader with Friends of Children and Families, Headstart.

Grace Montessori School director Alisa Urqudi was an employee when she was director at Children's House and received her Montessori training while with that school. She has written professional articles for Montessori teachers in the professional publication" Montessori Life".

We at Grace are always looking for people interested in learning more about the Montessori method of teaching. If you are interested in a job opportunity with Grace Montessori School, please fill out the information request form and send it to us. Or for further information, please contact Mrs. Alisa Urquidi (Director) by using the information below. We look forward to assisting you with your comments or concerns.

E-Mail: gracemontessori@msn.com

If you are interested in working at Grace Montessori, have questions or have comments, please fill out our INFORMATION REQUEST FORM. We will do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible.

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